Shoe bottom ironing devices



July 1, 1958 Filed July 2:5, 1957 lZ HZ A. R- HUBBARD SHOE BOTTOMIRONING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet l nventor' ard July 1, 1958 A. R. HUBBARDSHOE BOTTOM momma DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1957 l l l lInventor Arthur RHubba/"a y 1, 1953 A. R. HUBBARD 2,840,836

SHOE BOTTOM IRONING DEVICES Filed July 23, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 UnitedStates Patent i SHOE BOTTOM IRONING DEVICES Arthur R. Hubbard, Beverly,Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston, Mass., :1corporation of New Jersey Application July 23, 1957, Serial No. 673,65324 Claims. (Cl. 12-53.5)

This invention relates to shoe bottom ironing devices, and particularlyto an improved devicefor ironing the shank and heel seat portions ofshoes.

In United States Letters Patent No. 2,654,903, granted October 13, 1953,on an application filed in the name of Ferman N. Lee, there is discloseda device for performing the above-mentioned heel seat and shank ironingoperation, including a heel ironing block having a generally flatoperating surface and two sets of articulated shank ironing members,hinged to the heel ironing block adjacent to one edge of its operatingsurface and shaped to present a curved operating surface for ironing thelasted margin of the upper at the opposite sides of the shank portion ofa shoe. In this prior device, the heel ironing block, together with theshank ironing members hinged thereto, are supported for pivotal movementas a unit in order that the generally flat operating surface of the heelironing block and the curved operating surfaces'of the shank ironingmembers may be caused to conform generally to the shape of the heel seatand shank portions of the shoe. Moreover, these shank ironing membersare connected to each other and to theheel ironing block by means of aseries of equalizing levers which permit relative movement between theshank ironing members and the heel ironing block so that the ironingpressure is equally distributed over the entire heel seat and along theshank portion of the shoe when the shoe is forced against the device as,for example, by means of a fluid pressure operated abutment member.While this prior arrangement operates in a generally satisfactory mannerand as explained in the mentioned patent, it has been found in practicethat there is some tendency, especially if the shoe is improperlylocated in a lengthwise direction relatively to the device, for thepressure applied to the bottom of the shoe to break the last. Moreover,experience seems to indicate that it would be advantageous to be able toapply considerably greater ironing pressure to the generally flat heelseat portion of the shoe by the heel ironing block than is required, ordesirable, to be applied to the shank portion thereof by the shankironing members.

A principal object of this invention is, accordingly, to provide a noveland improved device for ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes whereby the above objection may be avoided and thementioned advantage obtained. With this purpose in view and inaccordance with a feature of the invention,

' in the herein illustrated device, which comprises a heel ironing blockhaving a generally flat operating surface with shank ironing membershinged thereto and an abutment member mounted for movement to press theheel abutment member and for swinging the shank ironing membersrelatively to the heel ironing block, and the fluid pressure means forswinging the shank ironing members is operable in response to theoperation of the fluid pressure means for moving the abutment member.Also, separate means are provided for varying the forces exerted by eachof these fluid pressure means. More particular- 1y, the hereinillustrated device, which includes a rigidly mounted heel ironing blockhaving two sets of shank ironing membershinged thereto for bodilymovement about angularly disposed axes, each of'the sets of shankironing members including a pair of articulated blocks, an abutmentmember for engaging the heel cone of the last of a shoe and mounted formovement to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block, fluidpressure means for effecting movement of the abutment member,

an equalizing lever associated with each of the sets of shank ironingmembers, together with means for varying the force exerted by thementioned fluid pressure means,

is provided with a separate fluid pressure meansoperable in response tothe operation of the first-mentioned fluid pressure means for actuatingthe mentioned equalizing levers, together with means for varying theforces exerted by each of said fluid pressure means independently of thecompanying drawings, and will be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. .1 is a view in side elevation of a device forironing the shank and heel seat' portions of the bottoms of shoes andembodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 isa view in front elevation and at an enlarged scale of a part ofthe device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation also at an enlarged scale of anotherpart of the device, and

Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of the fluid pressure system for operatingthe device.

Referring to these drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, it will beobserved that the device therein illustrated is generally similar tothat disclosed in the patent to Lee, mentioned above, and has a heelironing block 10, provided with a generally flat operating surface 12,to which there are hinged two sets of shank ironing members, eachcomprising a pair of hinged-together or articulated blocks 14, 16 havingcurved operating surfaces 18, 20 which form continuations of the flatoperating surface 12 of the block 10. Preferably, and as hereinillustrated, the opcrating surfaces 12, 18, 18, 20, 20 are covered by athin sheet of metal 22 shaped as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.The block 10 is secured, by means of screws 24, 24, to the lower edgesof two web-like portions 30, 30 formed integrally with a frameconstruction, indicated generally by the reference character 32 andhaving atop part 34 and a base part 36, Fig. 1.

Supported on the base part 36 of the frame construction is a maincylinder 40 provided with a bore 42 in which there is fitted a largepiston 44. This piston has a central bore 46, closed at its lower end bymeans of a cover plate 48, and fitted within this bore is a small piston50 having a rod 51 which extends upwardly through a bore 52 formed in aheader block 54 secured to the upper end of the cylinder 40, and .adownwardly extending stem 56. Pinned to the upper end of the rod 51 is amember 60 on which there is adjustably mounted a supporting block 62 foran abutment plate 64 which is mounted thereon for limited universaltilting or rocking movement by means of an annulus 66 of rubber orsimilar resilient material. Rotation of the rod 51 is prevented andupward movement of the rod 51 is limited, when there is no tion ofithelast L of a 'shoe S to press the heel seat of the shoefirmly' againstthe operating surface 12 of the heel ironing block or, more accurately,against the thin metal plate 22, when it is provided. Thereafter, andwhile the heel 'seat is being ironed in this manner, the shank ironingmembers are swung in a clockwise direction, Fig. '1, in order to applyironing pressure, through the action offthe plate 22, when it isprovided, to the curved s'hankportion of the bottom of the shoe.

Referring to'FigI 1, the blocks 14, 16. of each shank ironing member areheld in the positions in which they are: shown by means ofa coil spring80, see also Fig. 2, with surfaces 82, 84formed. on'theupperfends ofthese blocks, respeetively, bearing against rollers 86, 88 carried by anequalizing lever 90, Each of these equalizing lever-sis pivotallymounted by means ofa pin 910m the forwardendfof a leverj 92 whichextends forwardly and rearwardly beyond a pin 94 by means of which it ispivotally supported on one of the Web portions 30 of the frame 32.Mounted in the rearward end of each of the levers 92.is ani abutmentpin96 which is in engagement 'with 'an equalizing lever' 10'0,Fig'. 3. Thisequalizing lever ismounted on a pin 102 which is carried by upstandingear s 104, 104 formed on the upper end of the piston rod 106 of a piston108. This piston rodextends through a bore.110 in andendmemberj112associated with a cylinder 114 providedwith a bore 116 in which thementioned piston 108 is fitted The cylinder 114 is supported on two webportions 120, 120 of the frame constru'ction'32 by means of the endmember 112 which is secured thereto byscrews 122, 122 Fig. 3.springpressed plunger 124 is provided for yieldingly holding theequalizing lever 100 in the position in which it is shown, whileanenlarged end' 126 on the pin 102 is fittedwithin a slot 128 formedinan upstandingear 130 on the end 'member 112. to prevent rotation ofpiston 108 and the lever 100 carriedthereby. v

Referring to Figs; land 4, a conduit 1.40 is connected tothe'lower endofthe'cylinder bore 42 through aport 142 in the base 36,21 conduit 144is connected to the bore 46'through an annular groove 146 on thejpiston44 and a radial port 147 in that piston; a conduit 148 is connectedtothelower end of the cylinder bore 116 below the piston 108; whilethespace in the bore 42 above the piston 44 andthe space in'the cylinderbore 116ab'ove the piston 108 are connected to a conduit 150. As isindic'atedin Fig. '4; an accumulator A, which is kept charged withoperating fluid, such as oil under pressure from a source not shown, isconn'e'ctedthrough lines a and b to asolenoid-operated valve V-1 and afluid pressure operated valve V-2. A spring 160 normally holds theplunger of the valve V-2 in a position such that the conduit 150 isconnected to the accumulator through a line c so that operating fluidunder pressure holds the pistons 44 and 108' in the retracted positionsin which they are shown and also holds the plunger 162 of a fluidoperatedcheck valve V-3 in the operating position in which it is shown,thereby connecting the conduit 144 with a line d which leads from thevalve V42 through the valve V-3 toa sequence valve V-4, this line nowbeing connected to exhaust through the valve V-2. The sequence valve V4is connected to a manually adjustablepressure reducing valve V-5 whichin turn is connected to the conduit. 140, and to a line e one endofwhich leads back to thevalve V V'3, as shown, while theother end isconnected to a second sequence valve V-6.. Thesequence valve V-6 isconnected by means of aline f to a secondpressureredneing '4 valve V-7which, in turn, is connected to the conduit 148. It will be understoodthat 'the several different valves referred to above, and illustratedschematically in Fig. 4 of the drawings, are of well-known constructionso that no detailed description of these valves is thought to benecessary. 7

With the arrangement so far described and schematically illustrated inFig. 4, when a solenoid S0 associated with the valve V-1 is energized ina manner about to be explained,'operating fluid under pressure ispermitted to flow through the'line a thereby shifting'the plunger of thevalve V-2 to a position in which line 0 is connected to exhaust and-lined is connected to line b .and hence to the accumulator A. Operatingfluid under pressure now flows through the conduit 144 and elevates thepiston 50 to press the heel seat of the shoe S, presented to the deviceby an operator as shown in Fig. 1, against the heel ironing block 10.with a relatively light force, the abutment plate 64 now tilting orrocking, as required, to provide even pressure on the heel seatof theshoe. As the pressure builds up in the conduit 144 and also in the lined to the, intensity for which sequence valve V-4 is, set, approximately7.5 p. s. i., thisvalve opens and admits operatingfluid under pressureto the line e. Pressure of the operating fluidin the line e causes theplunger 162 of the VaIveY-S to move to closed position, thereby trappingoperating fluid in the cylinder bore 46 beneath the piston 50 whilestill permitting flow of operating fluid through the line :1. Operatingfluid fromthe sequence valve V-4 fiows through the pressure reducingvalve V-S, which can be set to'the desired pressure, through the conduit40 and thence to the cylinder '42 beneath the piston 44. This piston isnow elevated to cause the heel seat of the shoe to be pressed veryfirmly against the heel ironing block with the greater force desired andas controlled by the setting of the valve V'5.

When the pressure of the operating fluid in the line a builds up to theintensity for which the sequence valve V-6 is set, approximately 220 p.s. i., this valve opens and operating fluid flows through line and thesecond pressure reducing valve V-7 to the conduit 148 and thence to thecylinder bore 116 below the piston 108. As this piston is elevatedby thepressure of the operating fluid, the shank pressing members comprisingblocks 14 and 16 will belswu'ngin a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, tocause theiroperating surfaces, a'ctingthrough the thin' metal plate 22,to exert ironing pressure on the shank portion of the shoe, the forceexerted by these shank pressing members being' determined, of course, bythe setting of the valve V-7, and independently of the pressurebeingexerted by the heel'ironing block on the heelseat of the shoe. Pins 81,see Fig; 1', associated with the springs8't), serve asstops to'limitswinging movements of the levers 92, when no shoe ison the plate 64. Aswill presently appear, the solenoid So is deenergized after apredeterminedjtime interval and when this happens pistons 44, 50and108are returned to their original positions, as shown in Figs. 1. and4 of the drawings, in a manner which will be obvious, thus". releasingthe shoe.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is mounted for vertical slidingmovement in the top part 34 of the machine frame 32, a plunger to theupper end of which there is secured a head piece 182. At its lower endthis plunger is shaped to provide a sensing finger 184 which projectsdownwardlybetween the two sets of shank ironing members and through anopening 186 in the thin metal plate 22, Fig. 2. A"spring 188,interposedbetween a collar 190 on the plunger 180and the top part 34 ofthe frame,

yieldingly'urges the plunger downward: to the extent 70 Wendi-. 9 tshaar sfl a adi dic trri line I. The timing device T is adapted, inresponse to .the

inward movement of a button 196, to connect the lead I to another lead mfrom a source'of electrical energy not shown for an adjustablypredetermined time interval.

For operating the button 196 there is pivotally mounted on the headpiece 182 an arm 200 which is yieldingly held, by means of a springplunger 202, in a position to engage a lip 204 formed on a lever 206having an upper arm 208 adapted to engage the button and a lower arm 210carrying a screw 212, and pivotally mountedron a bracket 214 whichsupports the timing device. With this arrangement, when the plunger 180is elevated in response to pressure .of the bottom of a shoe presentedtothe machine on the sensing finger 184, the button l96 will first bepushed inwardly thereby setting the timing device into operation, as aresult of the rocking of the lever 208 in a counterclockwise direction,As this rocking movement is continued during further upward movement ofthe plunger 180, the screw 212 will eventually strike the arm 200 andswing it in a clockwise direction out from beneath the lip 204, therebyreleasing the button 1960f .the timing device. At the end of theinterval for which the timing device is set, the ironing operation isterminated and the shoe is ejected from the device in a manner about tobe described. When this occurs the plunger 180 is moved downwardly bythe spring 188, and lever 206 and .arm 200 are returned to theiroriginal positions as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

i For assisting the operator in locating the-heel end of a shoelaterally as it is presented to the machine, a V-shaped heel abutment220 is provided, and this abutment is formed integrally with the upperends of a pair of arms 222. At their lower ends these arms are pivotallymounted on a header block 54 by means of a pin 224, and a spring-pressedplunger 226 is arranged to swing the arm 222 in a clockwise directionand to the position indicated in Fig. '1 as determined by an adjustablestop screw 228. Also mounted on the headenblock 54 is a suitable shoereceiver indicated generally by the reference character 230. Inpresenting a shoe to the machine, the operator causes its heel end toengage and to push the heel abutment 220 to the left, Fig. 1, far enoughto bring the heel seat of the shoe directly beneath the heel ironingblock 10 and also to locate thecone of the last L directly over theabutment plate 64. When the shoe is released at the conclusion of theironing cycle, it is pushed to the right by the action of the plunger226 and drops into :the receiver 230,;

As will be apparent with the novel arrangement described above, bysuitable adjustment of the two pressure reducing valves V-S and V-7, theforces exerted, respectively, by the abutment 64 to press the heel endof a shoe against the heel ironing block 10 and by piston 108 to swingthe shank ironing members 18, 20 relatively to the heel ironing block,so as to force these members against the shank portion of the shoe, maybe independently varied by the operator as desired to suit differentoperating conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain adequateironing pressure for the relatively flat heel seat portion of the shoeand at the same time to limit the force exerted by the shank ironingmembers to an amount sulficient to assure proper ironing of the uppermaterials in the shank portion of the shoe without, however, havingthese members exert a suflicient force to break the last.

The heel ironing block 10 is heated by means of electrical heating units240, 240, while the shank-ironing members 18, 20 are provided withelectrical heating units 242, 244. Preferably, these sets 'of heatingunits are adapted to be controlled independently of each other so thattemperatures suitable for ironing the heel seat and.

shank portions of each shoe are assured. In addition, it may benotedthat the timing device T assures an adequate period of ironingpressure without any danger of overheating or burning of the uppermaterials by the heated ironing members, while the heel centeringabutment 220 greatly facilitates the placing of-shoes in the device andin this way tends to speed up the heel seat and shank ironing operation.7

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block havinga generally flat oparating surface and shank ironing members hinged tosaid heel ironing block adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,an abutment member for engaging the last of a shoe presented to thedevice and mounted for movement toward said heel ironing block to pressthe heel seat of the shoe against the block, power means for effectingsuch movement of said abutment member, and separate power means forswinging said shank ironing members relatively to the heel ironing blockto force the shank ironing members against the shank portionv of theshoe.

2. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block havinga generally fiat operating surface and shank ironing members hinged tosaid heel ironing block adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,an abutment member forengaging the last of a shoe presented to thedevice and mounted for movement toward said heel ironing block to pressthe heel seat of the shoe against the block, fluid pressure means foreffecting such movement of said abutment member, and separate fluidpressure means for swinging said shank ironing members relatively to theheel ironing block to force the shank ironing members against the shankportion of the shoe.

3. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block havinga generally fiat operating surface and shank ironing members hinged tosaid heel ironing block adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,an abutment member for engaging the last of. a shoe presented to thedeviceand mounted for movement toward said heel ironing block to pressthe heel seat of the shoe against the block, power means for effectingsuch movement of said abutment member, and separate power means operablein response to the operation of said first mentioned power means forswinging said shank ironing members relatively to the heel ironing blockto force said shank ironing members against the shank portion of theshoe.

, 4. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block havinga generally flat operating surface and shank ironing members hinged tosaid heel ironing block adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,an abutment member for engaging the last of a shoe presented to thedevice and mounted for movement toward said heel ironing block to pressthe heel seat of the shoe against the block, fluid operated means foreifecting such movement of said abutment member, and separate fluidoperated means operable in response to the operation of said firstmentioned fluid operated means for swinging said shank ironing membersrelatively to the heel ironing block to force the shank ironing membersagainst the shank portion of the shoe. 7

5. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block havinga generally flat operating surface and shank ironing members hinged tosaid heel ironing block adjacent to oneedge of its operating surface, anabutment member for engaging the for varying the force exerted by saidpower means, and separate 'power means for swinging said shank'ironingmembers relatively to the heel ironing block to force theshank ironingmembers against the shank portion of the shoe, andineans for varying theforce exerted by said last-named power means independently of the forceexerted 'by saidfirst-named power means.

6. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block havinga generally flat operating surface and shank ironing members hinged tosaid heel ironing block adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,an abutment member for engaging the last'of a shoe presented to thedevice and'mounted for movementtoward said heel ironing block to pressthe heel-.seat of the shoe against the block, fluid pressure means foreffectingsuch movement of said. abutment member, means for varying theforce exerted by said fluid pressure means, separate fluid pressuremeans for swinging said shank ironing members relatively to the heelironing block to for'ce the shank ironing members against the shankportion of the shoe, and means for varying the force exerted by saidlast-named fluid pressure means independently of the force exerted bysaid first-named fluid pressuremeans.

7. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions ofthebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block havinga generally flat operating surface and shank ironing members hinged tosaid heel ironing block adjacent to one edge of itsoperating'surface,'fan abutment member for engaging the last of ashoepresented to the device and mounted for movement toward said heelironing block to press the heel seat of the shoe against'the block,power means for effecting suchfmovement of said abutment member, meansfor varying theforce exerted by said power means, separate power ineansoperable in response to the operation of said first-mentioned powermeans for swinging said shankironing members relatively to the heelironing bl ock to force the shank ironing members against the shankportion ofthe shoe, and means for varying the force exerted'by saidlast-named power meansindependently of the force exerted by saidfirst-named power means.

"8; A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions ofthebottoms of shoes Comprising arigidly mounted heel'ironing block"having a generally flat operating surface and shank ironing membershinged to said heel ironing block adjacent to one edge of its operatingsurface, an abutment member for engaging the last of ashoe presented tothe device and mounted for movement toward said heel ironing block topress the heel seatofthe shoe against the block, fluid pressure mean foreffecting such movement of said abutment member, means for varying theforce exerted by said fluid pressuremean's, separate fluid pressuremeans operable in response tothe operationof said first-menticned fluidpressure means for swinging said shank ironing members relatively to'the heel ironing block to force the shank ironing members against theshank portion of the shoe, and means for varying the force exerted bysaid lastnamed fluid pressure means independently of the force exertedby said first-named fluid pressure means.

9.'A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottom of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block providedwith a generally flat operating surface and two sets of'shank ironingmembers hingedto said ironing blo'ckadjacent to one edgeof its operatingsurface, each of said 'sets' of shankironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocks shaped'to provide a curved operating surface forminga continuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block, anabutment member for engaging the heel cone of the last of a shoepresentedto thevdevice and mounted for movementtowardsaidheel ironingblock to press the I shank ironing members, and separate power means foractuating saidlevers to swing the sets ofshank ironing membersrelatively to the heel' ironing block to force-the shank ironing membersagainst the shank portion ofthe shoe.

10; A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of the.bottom of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block providedwith a generally flat operating surface and two sets of shank ironingmembers hinged to said ironing block adjacent to one edge of itsoperating surface, each of said sets of shank ironing members includinga pair of articulatedblocks'shaped to provide a curved; operatingsurface forming a continuation of the operating surface ofsaid heelironing block, an abutment member forfengaging the heel cone ofthe lastof a shoe presented to the device and: mounted for movement towardsaid-heel ironingiblock to press the heel seat of the shoe against theblock, fluid pressure means for eifectingsuch movement ofsaid abutmentmember, an equalizing lever associated with each of said setsofshankironing members, and;separate fluidpressure means foractuating'saidlevers to swing the sets of shank ironing membersrelatively to the heel ironing block to force the shank ironing membersagainst the shank portion of the shoe.

11. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottom of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block providedwith a generally fiat operating surface and-two sets of shank ironingmembers hinged to said-ironing block adjacent to one edge of itsoperating surface, each of said'sets of shank ironing members includinga pair of-articulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operatingsurface forming a continuation of the operating surface of saidheelironing block,- an abutment member for engaging the heel cone of thelast of-a. shoe presented to the device and mounted for movement towardsaid heel ironing block to press the heel seat of the shoe against theblock, power means for effecting such movement of said ,abutment member,an equalizing lever associated with each of said sets of shankironingmembers, and separate power means operable inresponse to the operationof said first-mentioned powermeans for actuating said levers to swingthe sets of. shank ironing members relatively to the heel ironing blockto force the shank ironing members against the shank portion of theshoe.

12. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottom of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block providedwith a geherally'fiat operating surf-ace and two sets of shank ironingmembers hinged to said ironing block-adjacent to one edge of itsoperating surface, each of'said-sets of shank ironing membersincludingapair of articulated blocks shaped t'o'provide a curved operating surfaceforming a continuation of the operating surface of said-heel ironingblock, an abutment member for engaging the heel cone of the last of ashoerpresented to the device and mounted for movernent toward said heelironing block to press the heel seat of-theshoe against the block, fluidpressure means for effecting such movement of said abutment member, anequalizing member associated with each of said sets of shankironingmembers, and separate fluid pressure means operable in response to theoperation of said first-mentioned/fluid pressure means for actuatingsaid levers to swingthe vsetsof shank ironingmembers relatively to theheel ironing block to force the shank ironing members against the shankportion of the shoe.

13. A device forfuse in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottom of-shoes comprising arigidly mountedheel ironing block providedwith a generally flat operating surface and twosets of shankironingmembers hinged to said "ironing block adjacent to one edge of itsoperating surface, each of said sets of shank ironing members includinga pair of articulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operatingsurface forming a continuation of the operating surface of said heelironing block, an abutment member for engaging the heel cone of the lastof a shoe presented to the device and mounted for movement toward saidheel ironing block to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block,power means for effecting such movements of said abutment member, anequalizing lever associated with each of said sets of shank ironingmembers, means for varying the force exerted by said power means,separate power means for actuating said levers to swing the sets ofshank ironing members relatively to the heel ironing block to force theshank ironing members against the shank portion of the shoe, and meansfor varying the force exerted by said lastnamed power meansindependently of the force exerted by said first-named power means.

14.'A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottom of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing block providedwith a generally flat operating surface and two sets of shank ironingmembers hinged to said ironing block adjacent to one edge of itsoperating surface, each of said sets of shank ironing members includinga pair of articulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operatingsurface forming a continuation of the operating surface of said heelironing block, an abutment member for engaging the heel cone of the lastof a shoe presented to the device and mounted for movement toward saidheel ironing block to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block,fluid pressure means for effecting such movement of said abutmentmember, an

equalizing lever associated with each of said sets of shank ironingmembers, means for varying the force exerted by said fluid pressuremeans, separate fluid pressure means for actuating said levers to swingthe sets of shank ironing members relatively to the heel ironing blockto force the shank ironing members against the shank portion of theshoe, and means for varying the force exerted by said of its operatingsurface, each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operating surface forminga continuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block, anabutment member for engaging the heel cone of the last of a shoepresented to the device and mounted for movement toward said heelironing block to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block,power means for effecting such movement of said abutment member, anequalizing lever associated with each of said sets of shank ironingmembers, means for varying the force exerted by said power means,separate power means operable in response to the operation of saidfirst-mentioned power means for actuating said levers to swing thesetsof shank ironing members "relatively to the heel ironing block toforce the shank ironing members against the shank portion of the shoe,and means for varying the force exerted by said last-named fluidpressure means independently of the force exerted by the first-namedpower means.

16. A device for use in ironing the shank andheel seat portions of thebottom of shoes comprising a rigidly an abutment member for engaging theheel cone of the last of a shoe presented to the device and mounted formovement toward said heel ironing block to press the heel seat of theshoe against the block, fluid pressure means for effecting such movementof said abutment member, an equalizing lever associated with each ofsaid sets of shank ironing members, means for varying the force exertedby said fluid pressure means, separate fluid pressure means operable inresponse to the operation of said first-mentioned fluid pressure meansfor actuating said levers to swing the sets of shank ironing membersrelatively to the heel ironing block to force the shank ironing membersagainst the shank portion of the shoe, and means for varying the forceexerted by said last-named fluid pressure means independently of theforce exerted by said first-named fluid pressure means.

17. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of. thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mouthed heel ironing blockprovided with a generally flat operating surface and two sets of shankironing members hinged to said ironing block for pivotal movement aboutangularly disposed axes adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operating surface forminga continuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block, anabutment member. for engaging theheel cone of the last of a shoepresented to the device and mounted for movement toward said heelironing block to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block,power means for effecting such movement of said abutment member, anequalizing lever associated with each of said sets of shank ironingmembers, and separate power means for actuating said levers to swing thesets of shank ironing members relatively to the heel ironing block toforce the shank ironing members against the shank portion of the shoe.

18. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing blockprovided with a generally flat operating surface and two sets of shankironing members hinged to said ironing block for pivotal movement aboutangularly disposed axes adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocks shaped to mounted heel ironing block provided with agenerally flat operating surface and two sets of shank ironing membershinged to said ironing block adjacent to one edge of its operatingsurface, each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operating surface forminga continuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block,

provide a curved operating surface forming a continuation of theoperating surface of said heel ironing block, an abutment member forengaging the heel cone of the last of a shoe presented to the device andmounted for movement toward said heel ironing block to press the heelseat of the shoe against the block, fluid pressure means for effectingsuch movement of said abutment member, an equalizing lever associatedwith each of said sets of shank ironing members, and separate fluidpressure means for actuating said levers to swing the sets of shankironing members relatively to the heel ironing block to force the shankironing members against the shank por' tion of the shoe.

19. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing blockprovided with a generally flatoperating surface and two sets of shankironing members hinged to said ironing block for pivotal movement aboutangularly disposed axes adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operating surface forminga continuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block, anabutment member for engaging the heel cone of the last of a shoepresented to thedevice and mounted for movement toward said heel ironingblock to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block, power meansfor effecting such movement of said abutment member, an equalizing leverassociated with each of said sets of shank ironing members, and separatepower means operable in response to the operation of saidfirst-mentioned power 11 means for'actuating said levers to swing thesets of shank ironing members relatively to the heel ironing block toforce the shank ironing members againstthe shank portion of the shoe.

20. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing blockprovided with a generally fiat operating surface and two sets of shankironing members hinged to said ironing block for pivotal movement aboutangularly disposed axes adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,each of said sets of shank ironing members includinga pair ofarticulated blocks shaped to provide a curved: operating surface forminga continuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block, anabutment member for engaging the heel cone of the last of a shoepresented to the device and mounted for movement to ward said heelironingblock to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block, fluidpressure means for effecting suchmovement of said abutment member, anequalizing member associated with each of said sets of shank ironingmembers, and separate fluid pressure means operable in response to theoperation of said first-mentioned fluid pressure means for actuatingsaid levers to swing the sets of shank ironing members relatively to theheel ironing block to force. the shank ironing members against the shankportion of the shoe.

21. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing blockprovided with a generally flat operating surface and two sets of shankironing members hinged to said ironing block for pivotal movement aboutangularly disposed axes adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocksshaped to provide a curved operating surface forming acontinuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block, anabutment member for'engaging the heel cone of the last of a shoepresented to the device and mounted for movement toward said heelironing block to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block,power means for effecting such movements of said abutment member, anequalizing lever associated with each of said sets of shank ironingmembers, means for varying the force exerted by said power means,separate power means for actuating said levers to swing the sets ofshank ironing members relatively to the heel ironing blockto force theshank ironing members against the shank portion of the shoe, and meansfor varying the force exerted by said last-named power meansindependently of the force exerted by said first-named power means.

22. A device for usein ironing the shank and heel seat portions ofthebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing blockprovided with a generally flat operating surface and two sets of shankironing members hinged to said ironing block for pivotal movement aboutangularly disposed axes adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operating surface forminga continuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block, anabutment member for engaging the heel cone of the last of a shoepresented to the device and mounted for movement ,toward said heelironing block to press the heel seat -of the shoe against the block,fluid pressure means for effecting such movement of said abutmentmember, an equalizing leverassociated with each ofsaid' sets of shankironing members, means for varying the force exerted by said fluidpressure means, separate fluid pressure-means for actuating said leversto swing the sets of shank ironing members relatively to the heelironing block to force the shank ironing members against the shankportion of the shoe, and means for varying the force exerted by saidlastnarned fluid pressure means independently of the force'exerted bysaid first-named fluid pressure means.

23. A device for use in ironing the shank and heel seat portions of thebottoms of shoes comprising a rigidly mounted heel ironing blockprovided with a generally flat operating surface andtwo sets of shankironing members hinged to said ironing block for pivotal movement aboutangularly disposed axes adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pairofarticulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operating surfaceforming a continuation of the operating surface of said heel'ironingblock, an abutment member for engaging the heel cone of the last of ashoe presented to the, device and mounted for movement toward said'heelironing block to press the heel seat of theshoe against the block, powermeans for effecting such movement of said abutment member, an equalizinglever associatedfwitheach of said sets of shank ironing members, meansfor varying the force exerted by said power means, separate power meansoperable in response to the operation of said first-mentioned powermeans for vactuatingsaid levers to swing the sets of shank ironingmembers relatively to the heel ironing block to force the shank ironingmembers against the shank portion of the shoe, and means for varying theforce exertedby said lastnamed fluid pressure means independently of theforce exerted by said first-named power means.

24. A, device for usein ironing the shank and heel seat portions of, thebottoms of shoes comprising a, rigidly mounted heel ironing blockprovided with a generally flat operating surface and'two sets of shankironing members, hinged to said-ironing block for pivotal movement aboutangularly disposed axes adjacent to one edge of its operating surface,each of said sets of shank ironing members including a pair ofarticulated blocks shaped to provide a curved operating surface forminga continuation of the operating surface of said heel ironing block, anabutment member for engaging the heel cone of the last of a shoepresented to the device and mounted for movement toward said heelironing block to press the heel seat of the shoe against the block,fluid pressure means for effecting such movement of said abutmentmember, an equalizing lever associated with each of said sets of shankironing members, means for varying the force exerted by said fluidpressure means, separate fluid pressure means operable in response tothe operation of said first-mentioned fluid pressure means for actuatingsaid levers to swing the sets of shank ironing members relativelyto theheel ironing block to force the shank ironing members against the shankportion of the shoe, and means for varying the force exerted by saidlast-named fluid pressure means independently of the force exerted bysaid-firstnamed fluid pressure means.

No references cited.

